Kampalapura Veeranna Narayana (born 20 October 1948), also known as KVN, is an Indian linguist, professor of Kannada language and literature, and a literary critic.

During his time as a professor in Bangalore University, he initiated investigations into Kannada language and culture from the root level.

He received the Karnataka Sahitya Akademi Honorary Award[2] for a lifetime's contribution to Kannada language and literature.

He joined the Kannada Adhyana Kendra, which was headed by GS Shivarudrappa (GSS), under whose guidance he studied "Anandavardana's Dwanyaloka" and acquired his Ph.D. KVN taught literature, literary criticism, and linguistics.

Scientific temperament formed the basis of his growth as a literary critic, linguist and cultural thinker of Kannada.

During his tenure, he played a prominent role in building the Kannada Vishwavidyala through his diligent administration and studies.